EastMarkME

White perch (and white bass) are great eating. Light,flaky,mild. We always catch some when we are up to camp as a treat and pan fry them. Nice story...There are 2 older guys that fish a lake here religiously and deliver 1/2 a cooler (or more) full of white perch often to the less fortunate elder folks that cant get out and are poor. Pretty cool stuff. Mark

I know that I eat white perch. :-) Egg wash,italian bread crumbs w/ some Bay seasoning,hot oil in a hot cast iron pan. mmmmm. Bass eatem too...just raw. Mark

I fish off a pontoon boat with a battery op porta potti and enclosure that pops up or folds down. Its the balls. Mark

They make the small clip-on lights that go on your hat bill for tying lures on. You'll find on some nights less is more with lights due to bugs. The bats here come out with the bugs at dusk and tick your line flying by....you'll swear its a hit when it first happens. lol We used to do alot of night fishing and had spools with fluorescent line and 2 blacklights. It worked great. Also keep the spotlight near the net while fishing treble hook lures and have your buddy grab them when you get a fish near the boat. The trebles hurt. Mark

Article I read: AGFC Plans Eradication Of Northern Snakehead Fish September 3, 2008 Release from: Associated Press BRINKLEY - State and federal wildlife agencies are planning to use a toxin to try to eradicate the invasive northern snakehead fish, which has been found in east Arkansas. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is to use the toxin rotenone in nearly 200 miles of waterways in Lee and Monroe counties. Game and Fish spokesman Keith Stephens said the effort will cost $572,000 including a contribution of $150,000 by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The state banned the fish in 2002, but officials say there were earlier attempts to grow the fish in ponds, from which they escaped. The fish is considered an Asian delicacy. Game and Fish plans to use the chemical rotenone, which coats the gills of fish and suffocates them, in the Piney Creek watershed. The treatment is planned to start Sept. 29 and last through Oct 18. On Sept. 18, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a public meeting at the Brinkley Convention Center on the eradication plan. The agencies want to prevent the snakehead from entering the Mississippi and White River basins. Stephens said the eradication effort will be the largest in state history. "It has never been done before," Stephens said of the scope of the plan. "We want to make sure we get all of them." The fish has been found in large numbers in Maryland and Virginia, where it has shown its propensity for rapid breeding and aggressiveness toward other fish. The fish can breathe air, survive on land and adapt and thrive in foreign environments. The northern snakehead is native to Asia and is long and narrow and has brown diamond-shaped markings. "We don't need anything in there competing with our sport fish," Stephens said. "We want to make sure we have healthy sport fisheries in Arkansas." A farmer near Monroe spotted a snakehead on April 14 when he saw it in the middle of a road on his farm. Since that initial discovery, more than 100 northern snakeheads have been found, all in or around Piney Creek, according to an environmental assessment completed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Samples taken from waterways in Lee, Monroe, St. Francis and Phillips counties show no indication that the fish has spread beyond the Piney Creek watershed. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services southeastern office spokesman Tom MacKenzie said it is best to act quickly, since the fish does not appear to have spread. The effort will include application of up to 24,000 pounds of powdered rotenone and 3,000 gallons of liquid rotenone to Big Piney Creek, Little Piney Creek, tributaries and ditches. The chemical will be applied both from helicopters and from boats. MacKenzie said the chemical will kill all fish in the water. After an initial treatment, biologists will sample for fish and snakeheads. Any area where live fish are found, could be retreated with more rotenone. The second round of treatment, if performed, would be complete by Nov. 1, according to the environmental assessment. The Game and Fish Commission will restock waterways with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish, starting in November, the agency said. So there it is...$572 K to get rid of them in one place. Too bad the money couldnt go all into new ramps or stocking gamefish. :'( Mark

Rod tip down/wrist action not arm. Try to get your line down quickly and straight if its windy. Too much slack hurts the presentation alot. Mark

I think if someone doesnt know much about catching fish...why not help them out. Also if someone does know what they are doing and are open with me...Im happy to discuss spots. Had a frank conversation last nite with a guy coming in and swapped a few ideas. Its rare I meet someone thats the type I wont discuss spots with...but there are a few of course like anything in life. Mark

I have a rod in the wings and am waiting on a reel to set up just for frogs/heavy cover/jigs. Whats everyones preference for line ? Whats the best frog ? I see a few opinions so far. Any others ? Mark

Good thing there arent spelling police here. You'ld be locked up. Im bad but that post needs an ambulance. Mark its best to lead me to nearest station. im known to miss spell though i really been putting spell check to work i just dont use many periods. alot of unneeded comas with explanation marks. Its all good. I was just goofing on it. I have my days...believe me. LOL Mark

All ball bustin aside...great thread. 'Something' has to be first consideration. It is clearer to me now that the first priority is location...everything else comes after. Seems everyone agrees on that part. Mark

Good thing there arent spelling police here. You'ld be locked up. Im bad but that post needs an ambulance. Mark

So if we all buy 1/8 oz baits we will all win tournaments ? OK, I got it !! Mark

Used to wear a back support fishing. I does help. The root of the problem for me was bad (flat) feet that leads to issues with back pain. I got 2 pair of custom orthotics made and dont need the support anymore. My back still needs a break after a few hours though. Same for most guys I fish with though. Mark

I *think* I remember the Bullwhip being a slight step down cost wise from the standard Fightin Rod. Had a few Fightin Rods with the Bantams...that was a pretty good rig at the time ! lol Mark

What ? No Shimano Fightin Rod ? ;-) Mark

Good stuff Catt. I do see the pattern... however.... its surprising to see the 1/8 jig and 1/8 spinnerbait. Much more common to see these guy refer to using lures heavier than I generally throw rather than lighter. I realize the winning pattern wasnt about the bait or color...cant help but notice that though. I have been spending alot of time learning the breaks and deeper structure on the lake. FishForDollars blunt (great) post about getting deeper structure or you'll never get better kicked me in the *** to stay deeper yesterday. I naturally migrate to visible shallow structure being a prior LM/pond only fisherman. These lakes in Maine are much deeper too. I know at some point it will translate to more fish. I am more comfortable out there already deeper watching the graph some more in what used to seem like No Mans Land. ;-) Starting to feel like Im more in touch with the bottom even deep. Caught 2 in 18' on a tiny hump last nite...for me thats a big deal mentally. LOL Im determined. ;-) Mark

Isnt someone on this site with Megastrike ? Do they sell them ? Thanks Mark

Notice a few mention the Cavitron BuzzBait. Must be a decent bait. Who sells them BTW ? Mark

Crazy looking thing. Fish catchin machine huh ? Mark <--wrestling the bait monkey off me as I type

For anyone considering a MinnKota or a MotorGuide wireless trolling motor I have a heads up for you. Nice motor BTW. There is no good way to route the transducer cable due to the way it stows. If you buy one get the model with the built in transducer if you have any intentions of using a fishfinder on it. It is a Lowrance brand tranducer built into the nose cone behind the prop and the cable runs inside the shaft which is great. Otherwise its a logistical nightmare with the cable. I love the motor.....hate the exposed transducer cable....Im going to retro-fit the built in one this winter. Mark

Love the Zara puppy...chromes my best producer. Fun bait to fish. Mark

Its a rush isnt it ! Good luck. Mark

I am starting to understand the basics of varying water temp/bass thanks to all these great replies. Good stuff. Mark

A 2.00 rapala is cheaper than an 8 dollar one, I think the point is fairly obvious here. Now if we can just find a place that has LC Pointers for $2...Im a happy guy. ;-) Mark

Another great response. I appreciate all you guys sharing the knowledge regardless of topic. You wonder sometimes when you read an article if it slanted by a desire to sell a product. These replys are real and practical responses which is priceless. Mark